UNDP appoints new Resident Representative for Jamaica

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has announced the appointment of Kishan Khoday as Resident Representative for Jamaica.

Khoday took office effective January 22.

As resident representative based at the UNDP Multi-Country Office in Jamaica, he also represents UNDP in Belize, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands.

Khoday, a Canadian national of Indian descent, presented his credentials to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith, on Friday at the Ministry, officially marking the start of his tour of duty.

In welcoming Khoday, Johnson Smith highlighted the fruitful cooperation between Jamaica and the UNDP, particularly in poverty reduction, climate change, disaster risk management, coral reef protection, and advancing gender equality.

Khoday pledged continuing support for Jamaica's development aspirations anchored on an inclusive and sustainable approach that leaves no one behind.

Khoday has served with UNDP for 25 years, having coordinated over USD $1 billion in country programming to help partners and communities around the world advance inclusive and sustainable development pathways.

This included tours of duty with UNDP Country Offices in China, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia and with UNDP's regional offices for the Middle East and North Africa based in Egypt and Jordan.

Prior to joining the UN, Khoday worked with government and community organizations in his home countries of Canada and India on issues of poverty reduction, ecological resilience, and community empowerment.

He is a scientist and lawyer, holding a Juris Doctorate specialising in constitutional, international, and environmental law; a master of science in natural resource management focused on land and water systems, and a bachelor of science in agriculture specialising in biodiversity and ecological change.

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